Calculating machine for all species



June 2, 1931. K. EICHENAUER CALCULATING MACHINE FOR ALL SPECIES Original Filed July 21, 1927 i Patented June 2, 19314 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KONRAD EICHENAUER, OF NEU-ROSSEN, NEAR MERSEBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T O BHEINISCHE METALLWAAREN- UND MASCHINENFABRIK, OF' DUSSELDORF-DEBEN- DORLE', GERMANY, .A CORPORATION OF GERMANY CALCULATING MACHINE FOR ALL SPECIES Original application led July 21, 1927,' Serial No. 207,426, andin Germany November 18, 1926. Divided and this application filed April 19, 1928. Serial No. 271,315.

In calculating machines for adding and subtracting purposes or for all species it is well known to electrically connect the keys of the machine with electromagnets in order to transfer the numeral values inserted in the machine and the result obtained in the machine simultaneously to a second machine, for instance a type-writer or a machine for punching holes in cards, such as that shown in German Patent No. 289,522,.Sept. 9, 1914, so that the numeral values and results inserted and obtain-ed respectively in the calculating machine visibly appear in the typewriter or in form of holes in the cards.

The present invention relates to calculating machines in which a depressed key remains depressed, i. e. set up, upon withdrawal of the finger and in particular to a machine in which the depressed keys are released only after the set up number is run into the computing mechanism, or by a special release y or clearing device. According to the present invention each key of the calculating machine is so constructed as to be able to perform a greater stroke than is necessary for inserting the corresponding numeral value into the machine. The arrangement is such that on depression of the key for inserting a numeral value into the machine the additional stroke is performed at the end of which the circuit is closed. After releasing the finger pressure upon the key, the latter is automatically moved back for a distance corresponding to the length of the additional stroke,- whereby the circuit is opened. The value inserted into the machine remains, however, in the machine as the key is locked in the adjusted position by the device effecting the lockin of the keys.

For obtaining t e above mentioned operations the keys consist each of two parts movable with regard to each other in the longitudiual direction. The amount of movement of the two parts withrespect to each other is limited by suitable means, and a spring is inserted between the two parts of the key for holding them in the initial position which correspondsto one of the limiting positions. On depression of the key, the upper part is tirst moved with respect to the lower part for the stroke allowed between the two parts and on further depression of the said key the upper part takes along with it the lower part against theaction of the usual return spring, until this lower part comes into a position in which simultaneously or approximately simultaneously t-he Contact members come into engagement, the numeral values are inserted into the machine and the key is locked by the known locking rail.

The two relatively movable parts forming together the key may consist of a lower part forming the key shaft and an upper part surrounding the lower part and carrying the key button which parts may, against the pressure of aspring interposed between them, be moved with respect to each other for a. stroke limited by a notch and a locking pin.

In the accompanying drawings one mode of carrying out the invention is shown by way of example.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic genera-l View of a calculating machine according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken away detail view of a set of keys in section.

As shown in the drawings a rail 1 is pivotally arranged below each transverse row of keys. The rail 1 is supported by pivots 2 and 3 mounted in rails 5 and 6 fixed to the side walls of the machine frame. Each rail 1 carries an insulated contact member 7 which cooperates with a contact member 8 insulated from and fixed to the machine frame. As

vwill be seen from Fig. 1, the contact members chine, for instance a type-writer, a machine for punching holes in cards or the like. These electromagnets, if their circuits are closed by closing the contact members 7 and 8, cause operations in the secondary machine corresponding to the operations performed'in .the primary machine.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2 each key shaft 13 is provided with an over-throw sleeve 14 carrying the key button 15 and ca pable of being shifted with regard to the key shaft 13. An interposed compression spring 4 The key shaft 13, is influenced inthe usual 16 tends to hold both parts .in the initial position or to bring them back into this position.

manner by a return spring 17 and is well known manner provided with a notch 18 inv which on depression of thekey the key'locking rail I9 engages under the influence of the `tension spring 20. rlhe sleeve 14 is'connected to the key shaft 13 by means of a screw 21 which may slide in a notch 22 provided in the key shaft and extending in the longitudinal direction of the same and which serves for limiting the stroke of the sleeve 14. On pressure being applied to the key button 1 5 the lower end of the sleeve 14 comes into contact with thecontact rail 1 causing the latter to swing about its pivots 2 Vand 3, so that, as Shown in Fig. 2 at the right hand side, the contact-member7 comes into contact with the contact member 8. Simultaneously herewith the key locking iail 19 is moved under the action of spring'20 into'the notch 18. As soon as the linger pressure upon the key button 15 is released, the latter, together with the sleeves 14, is moved back for a short distance. The amount of upward movement of the key button 15 and the sleeve 14 is-determined by the length of the notch 22 and this upward movement is sufiiicient to bring the contacts 7 recaer-.a

movable with regard to each other, an upper part surrounding a lower part forming the key shaft and depressible thereon to close said contacts, a ke j button carried by the said upper part, a spring interposed between the said two parts adapted'tobe compressedby setting up a numeral value in the machlne for the purpose of allowing the contacts to be closed and to be expanded after release of pressure upon said key, a notch provided in theone part and a lockingpin xedto the other part, said pin sliding in said notch and serving to limit the movement of the said key parts with 'regard to each other. L

In testimony whereof, I have aiixed myl signature.

and 8 out of engagement. The key shaft 13 is held 'by the engagement of the locking rail 19 into the notch 18, so that the value inserted into the machine by this particular key remains in the machine. After the usual release the key shaft 13 is again moved back- Vward under the action of the spring 17.

' ing of said What I claim is: A v l 1. In a calculating machine for all species of calculations wherein the keys remaln depressed upon operation thereof, thecombination of normally lopen contacts in an electric p circuit, setting keys arranged to close said contacts simultaneously with the setting up of numeral valuesl therebypin said machine, each of said keys consisting of two vparts movable with respect to 'eachzothe'r,- one of said parts-controlling the opening and closcontacts, means for limiting the amount of relative movement of the two parts, and a spring interposed between the two parts lof the key adapted to be compressed by setting up a numeral value in the machine for the purpose of allowing fthe Contact to., be closed and to be expanded afterrelease of pressure upon said key, and means for retaining one part of said key in the depressed position. Y 2. In a calculating machine for all species of calculations wherein-the keys remain depressed upon operation thereof, the combination of normally open contacts in an electric circuit, setting keys arranged to close said cont-acts simultaneously with the settingrup of *numeral values thereby in ysaid machine,

165 each of said keys consisting of two'parts KONRAD EICHENAUER. 

